Philippines, 04 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BOBBY PACQUIAO STOPS KELLEY TO RETAIN TITLE


PhilBoxing.com


Bobby "The Sniper" Pacquiao graduated into a marquee name himself than just the brother of a superstar when he stopped ex-world champ Kevin Kelley in the fourth round yesterday at New York's Madison Square Garden to retain his WBC Continental Americas super-featherweight title.

Pacquiao moved smoothly in the first two rounds, worked behind a pesky jab, then knocked down Kelley with a big left to the jaw in the dying seconds of the third, sending the American on wobbly legs. The bell, however, saved Kelley in that round, as he struggled to walk towards a neutral corner in a desperate attempt to return to his own corner.

Sensing victory, Pacquiao was all over Kelley starting in the fourth, then caught the Las Vegas resident with a two-punch body shot which felled the latter at the 1:24 mark of the round. Kelley, writhing in pain, failed to get up.

"He fought with true maturity today. He was cool and calculating, and he was in tremendous shape," reported Pacquiao's co-manager Rex 'Wakee' Salud in an interview with this writer moments after the fight. Salud credited Pacquiao's long preparation, and the more than 100 rounds of sparring for the victory.

Michael Koncz, Pacquiao's business agent in the US, revealed in a separate interview that after he had met up with promoters, it was decided that Bobby Pacquiao will challenge for a world title on August 4.

"Bobby was very focused and patient and followed the game plan to a tee. He improved from his last fight," said Koncz, who is widely credited for the younger Pacquiao's successful American campaign, which now includes three bouts in California, Las Vegas and New York.

The win improves the 25-year-old Pacquiao's record to 27-11-3 with 12 KOs while the 38-year-old Kevin Kelly, a native of Brooklyn, New York but based in Las Vegas, now drops his record to 58-7-2 with 39 KOs.

The bout was on the undercard of the Miguel Cotto-Paulie Malignaggi showdown for the WBO junior welter title won by the Puerto Rican Cotton on decision.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • The Second Rise of Jesse Espinas
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Kittipong, Magdalena, Kim, Kritiphak Claim Wins in Brico Santig's Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Kremlev, Crawford, Fury Launch IBA's Golden Era of International Boxing
    , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • International Master Angelo Young stays on course for GM norm
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Robby Gonzales and Yoseline Perez Progress to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Fireworks Ahead: Magsayo vs Mata in Prelims of Pacquiao vs Barrios
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Japan's Boxing Golden Age Remains Limited to the Lower Weights
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • No issues with fight ref
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • What If Pacquiao Defeats Barrios?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Women's Boxing Champion Signs with Combate Global, Still Aims For WBC Absolute Gold
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.